Belize - Labor

The labor force in 1997 was estimated at 90,000. In 2001, approximately
27% of the labor force was employed in agriculture, 18% in industry and
55% in services. In 2000, the unemployment rate was 11.5%. There is a
shortage of skilled labor and technical personnel.

Labor legislation covers minimum wages, work hours, employment of young
persons, and workers' safety and compensation. The National
Trades Union Congress of Belize is the major union federation, and the
United General Workers' Union is the leading trade union. In
2002, there were eight independent unions, comprising 11% of the labor
force, which represented a cross-section of white-collar, blue-collar,
and professional workers, including most civil service employees. There
are procedural requirements that a union must meet, but the government
freely recognizes the right to join unions and to strike. Unions
representing "essential" service workers must give an
intent to strike notice two days prior to a strike.

The labor act prohibits all employment for children under the age of 12,
and children between the ages of 12 and 14 are not permitted to work
during school hours. The minimum age for hazardous industry employment
is 17. A minimum wage ranging from $0.87 to $1.12 per hour is also
effectively enforced except among undocumented workers, primarily on
banana plantations. This wage does not provide a decent standard of
living, but most workers earn more than the minimum. Workplace safety
and health regulations are also effectively enforced by the Ministry of
Labor and Public Health, particularly in Belize City.